Boot Review: AKU Croda GTX

If you wake up wanting to walk 1,000 miles, go out and purchase a pair of these first.

You may or may not have time to hike a thousand miles this year. But you'll feel like you can in these luxurious, go-anywhere midweights. Though just 3 pounds, the high-cut Croda's have reassuring ankle support, a rigid sole that can handle big loads over rough terrain, reliable waterproofing, and deep lugs that bite into mud-slick trails. The all-around performance made it an instant favorite of our Northwest editor during an off-trail talus trek in Idaho's Sawtooth Wilderness. The suede upper and wide rand were barely scuffed from frequent rock bashings, and the toe-to-ankle-top lacing gave our tester a nimble feel while scrambling. Expect no-pain break-in. Best for narrow- to medium-width, medium-volume feet. $179